Ship stabilizing and rolling apparatus.



E. A. SPERRY.

SHIP smmuzme AND [mums APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED IAN. 6, l9l5- Patented July 10, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l- Lsz w 1 ITNESSESS 24,755 Fl BY 1% /W 1 ATToE E A. SPERRY. SHIP STABILIZING AND ROLLING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 6, I915. 1,232,61 90 Patented July 10, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

' INVENTOR.

ELMER d/Yd d s 6" 'ATTORNE are.

ELMER A. SPERRY, OF BROOKLYN, -NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE SPERRY QYROSCOPE COMPANY, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

SHIP STABILIZING AND ROLLING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented July 10, 1917.

' Application filed January 6, 1915. Serial No. 716.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELMER A. SPERRY, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful. Improvements in Ship Stabilizing and Rolling Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to stabilizing or rolling apparatus for ships and other oscil latory bodies and has particular reference to the control of gyroscopic stabilizing ap paratus so constructed and arranged that angular displacements of the ship bring about the control of an engine or motor which applies torques or imparts angular motion to one or more gyroscopes, the impressed angular motion being of a precessional character so that the gyroscope transmits through its frame a stabilizing force upon the ship. An example of this kind of apparatus is shown in my patenton ships gyroscopes 1,150,311, August 17th, 1915.

According to the present invention the precession engine or motor, or its electromagnetic clutch mechanism or other device whereby power is transmitted to the stabilizing gyroscopes to impress precessional movements upon them, is automatically controlled by means acting responsively to the angular velocity of the ships movements with respect to the axis about which stabilization is to be efi'ected.

According to my invention, I make use of an auxiliary gyroscope to control the main gyroscopes or other means for applying periodic rolling torques to the ship. The main gyroscope may be controlled through a precession engine or other means for applying torques thereon by the variations whieh take place between the position of the auxiliary gyroscope and fixed points on the ship.

By such means a highly sensitive control is effected, which is responsive to an incipient roll of the ship.

Further objects of my invention are to so construct the device that it maybe readily used for rolling a ship to enable it to break ice or work its way off a sand bank, to provide against damage-to the apparatus by excessive or unusual rolling of the ship; and

- nism cooperating with the stabilizing gyroto provide means whereby, during heavy trol applied, showing the master gyroscopefor governing the precession engine and the precession engine. Parts of the auxiliary apparatus are shown diagrammatically.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the stabilizing gyroscopes. v

Fig. 3 is a partly diagrammatic face view of the master or controlling gyroscope.

Fig. 4 is a detailed end elevation of the preferred mounting for the master gyroscope, showing the means actuated by said gyroscope for regulating the brake mechascopes.

Fig. 5 is' a diagrammatic view of the means employed to control the period of activity of the stabilizing gyroscopes.

Fig. 6 is a plan View of a detail.

. Fig. 7 is a detail, being a section on line 77 of Fig. '5.

For exerting rolling torques on the ship I prefer to employ one or more gyroscopes. The so-called rolling torques exerted by these gyroscopes are so applied as to oppose the rolling of the ship when the gyroscopes are stabilizing the ship, and to increasethe roll of the ship when the gyroscopes are used to roll the ship. In other words, the gyroscopes exert similar torques in the two instances, but the synchronism between the torques and the roll of the ship is reversed in vthe two instances. In this embodiment of the invention two stabilizing gyroscopes are shown, comprising two casings AB containing spinning rotors or gyro wheels which are kept in constant rotation in any manner, preferably by acting as rotors of rolling, the stabilizing. effect of the appainduction motors. The casings A-B are mounted rotatably about parallel vertical axes in a common frame C secured to the F G are adapted to temporarily v for engagement with worm shaft is normally idle,

. rotated in opposite directions through spur and bevel gearing from an electric motor H, so that if the clutch G locks the worm shaft to the wheelG the worm shaft is rotated in one direction while clutch F secures rotation in the other direction. S, S and S are three switches hereinafter referred to. In the particular constructional arrangement shown, the clutches F and G are electromagnetic and the current for energizing the one or the other of them is supplied from a source J through one or other of two circuits which are completed by means responsive to the rolling movements of the ship. 'Hence I when the ship commences to roll to one side,

the switch S being closed in the upper position shown the switch S being open and the switch S being closed, one of the clutches is energized and forced precession is imparted to the two gyroscope casings A and B in such a way that stresses are transmitted through the frame G to suppress or neutralize the rolling motion, and when the ship commences to roll to the other side, the other clutch is energized and the forced precession of the gyroscopes is in the opposite sense, thereby causing stresses to again suppress or neutralize the rolling motion.

The worm and worm wheel construction for applying precessional forces on the gyroscopes possesses especial advantages in this particular construction. It not only is of use in applying of powerful accelerating torques about the precession axis, but automatically becoines a powerful brake or stop, when the motor is cut out as hereinafter explained, since, as is well known, whenever attempt is made to drive a worm from a worm wheel the frictional losses are veryv great so that a powerful braking effect is produced. This efiect is of course depend- ,ent somewhat upon the pitch of the worm,

being so great with worms of small pitch such as shown The means shown in Figs. 1. and 2 for in Fig. 1 as to act as a lock. In order"to assist this braking effect I preenergizing one or other of the clutches responsively to the rolling motion of the ship comprise an independent gyroscope mounted'with its precessional axis vertical and its spinning axis athwa-rtships, in which position it is normally held b adjustable centralizing springs K K. incipient roll of the ship causes the casing of the gyroscope K to turn about its vertical axis and thereby close the circuit of one or the other of the clutches F 'or G by contact of one or other of two springs K K with one or other of two contacts F G The gyroscope K is highly responsive in its precessional function to angular velocity of the ships rollin movements, and a very small angular ve ocity, such as corresponds to'an incipient roll, brings about actuation of the stabilizing gyroscopes, thus insuring very close stabilization. The degree of sensitiveness of the gyroscope K- or the value of the angular velocity at which the gyroscope operates to close one or other of the clutch circuits can be regulated by adjusting the centralizing springs K .K, by turning the threaded caps 10.

So long as the gyroscope K is in its centralized position the clutch circuits are broken, and since an electromagnetL is included in these circuits this electromagnet remains unexcited. The electromagnet L is adapted to cooperate with a spring-controlled brake shoe M which normally presses against a collar M on the worm shaft E. When however the circuit of either of the clutches F or G is closed, the electro-magnet L is energized and the brake shoe M is attracted away from the collar M thuspermitting the worm shaft E to be driven by the excited clutch. Immediately, however, the clutch is deenergized, the electromag- -net L also becomes deenergized and the brake shoe M returns. into engagement with the collar M, thus arresting the rotation of ,the worm shaft and thereby promptly stop 7 ping the forced precession of the stabilizing gyroscopes.

It may be here explained that if the switch S is thrown into its lower position, the electrical connections of the clutches F and G being thereby reversed the reverse of the above described action takes place, namely any rolling motion of the ship serves 'to energize the opposite clutch and to impress forces upon the ship which produce further olling, at the end of which, when the ship tarts to roll back or oppositely, the opposlte contact is closed an the other clutch is energized and the forced precess1on of the gyroscopes is reversed, thereby again causing increased roll in a direction opposite to the first, and so on. back and forth, always automatically in strict step with a natural period of the ship, until the friction of the ship, due to her form-line resistance, balances the rolling increments received fromthe gyroscopes, whereupon no further increase in rolling amplitude takes place, but the ship rolls on and on continuously. It will be understood that forced rolling of a ship is advantageous in some cases as for example, for breaking through ice or for working off a sandbank.

In connection with stabilizing gyroscopes on ships, I find it preferable to provide a brake or stop device to control the gyroscope in the event it is unable to prevent an excessive rolling of the ship. Without such a device, the gyroscopes would precess about theirvertical axes until their spinning axes would turn into the fore and aft line of the ship, in which position they would exert no stabilizing effect on the ship, and would become ungovernable. One form of braking apparatus is shown in the accompanying drawings. Fig. 4 in conjunction with Figs. 1 and 2 it will be noticed that as soon as either of the circuitsthrough the contacts F G is completed, further angular movement of the controlling gyroscope K is initially arrested by abutments K K These abutments form part'of a swinging frame K, which carries the aforesaid contacts F G and is suitably mounted for movement, as bythe parallel springs K K The frame K is, however, centralized by springs K, which are stronger than the springs K and therefore hold the frame K in the position shown on the drawings until the angular velocity of the ship becomes so high as to give rise to forces sufficient to overcome these springs K, which then yield and move with the gyroscope K in one or other directionuntil finally arrested by stops K secured to the base or support of the apparatus. During the lateral excursion of the frame K however, contacts T are made to engage a series of resilient contacts T, each a little farther removed from the contact T than the one before. These contacts are. so connected that, assuming the switches S S to be closed, a variable current will fiow through a magnetically controlled brake mechanism, represented by the solenoid U (F igs.'.1 and 4). One method of accomplishing this is by using rheostats Rand coupling the contacts in at various points along the resistance. When the angular velocity is great enough for the controlling gyroscope to overcome not only the centralizing springs K but also the upper three of the resilient contacts T, then a circuit is completed by way of the switch S and the lower resilient contact T and the current is then at full strength and flows directly from the source of supply J to the solenoid U and back to the source, as will be seen from the drawing. Under these conditions a brake band 0 (Figs. 1 and 2) is fully applied with its Referring in particular to' maximum pressure to a brake drum N, a solenoid core V pulling a brake lever P to its full extent over to the left against a retractile spring P. Lever P is shown as pivoted at 1 and linked adjacent its inner end tothe end 2' of the brake band. It will be readily understood that when the intermediate contacts T are engaged, the pull of the solenoid and consequently the force with which the brake is applied is partial, or fractional, or proportional to the number of contacts T in engagement with the moving contact T. It will thus be seen that the brake band 0, tending to hold and control the precessional motion of the main gyroscopes, is never applied until excessive angular velocities of the ship due to excessive roll arise and thenis applied to a greater or less extent in proportion as this angular .velocity increases or decreases. Thus the 'precessional motion of the gyroscopes is controlled by means additional to the motor H, which means act proportionately, not to the angular velocity of the gyroscopes, but, as stated, tothe angular velocity of the vessel to which the gyroscopes are attached, thereby providing an additional safeguard against excessive precessional velocities of the gyroscopes at times when the ship is not being held absolutely, or practically, free from rolling motion by the gyroscopes.

I will now describe how excessive roll of the ship may be dealt with effectively by confining the periods of activity of the gyroscopes closely to the periods of maximum Velocity of roll of.the ship. Referring in particular to Figs. 5 and 6, in conjunction with Fig. 2, assume that the switch S is open and the switch S is open also. It is seen that the circuit of the battery J and clutches F and G is by way of a roller X and a wedge-shaped plate X. The roller X is carried by a counterbalanced arm :2 being pivoted on horizontal trunnions m and provided with an upwardly extending arm :0 carrying a lateral pin orroller m normally embraced by the upright arms of two bentlevers Z Z pivoted at z z and drawn together by a spring a. The said levers are formed with interengaging toothed segments so that movement of one lever automatically causes equal and oppositely directed movement of the other. The lever Z is formed with an arm .2 connected by a link 2 with a dash .pot z, and the lever Z is formed with an arm 2 connected by any suitable link mechanism with the wedgeshaped plate X in such a manner that a downwardangular movement of the arm 2 causes the link mechanism to thrust the 5 plate transversely beneath the roller X in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 6. This linkage may comprise a lever 3 pivoted adjacent one end to arm 2 and adjacent its other end to a forked arm 4 which is secured'to a shaft 5 rotatably mounted in bearings 6. Also secured to shaft 5 is a second arm 7 at right angles to arm 4, which is pivotally secured to rod 8 on plate X. It will be readily seen that the longitudinal movement of lever 3 will rock arm 7 and move rod 8 through its bearings 9 carrying with it plate w.

It will be understood from the foregoing description that when the ship rolls, the relative to and fro movements between the ship and the pendulum cause the roller X to run to and fro across the surface of the plate X, and also cause the pin to thrust the two arms Z Z outward alternately. These arms simultaneously spread apart in opposition to the spring a; the link mechanism attached to the arm 2 then moves the plate X beneath the roller X, and the return movements of the parts to their normal position is retarded by the dash pot 2*. The operation of the parts is as follows So long as the stabilizin gyroscopes are able to suppress rolling o the ship in its incipient stage, relative movements between the roller X and the plate X have no effect -upon the supply of current from the battery to the electro-magnetic clutches, because the relative movement is notsu cient to cause the roller to run oif the plate. When however the stabilizing gyroscopes are unable to suppress roll of the ship in its incipient stages owing to persistent excesit will be understood predetermined amount represented by the width of the plate X at the portion traversed by the roller X on the plate X causes the roller to run oif the plate and thereby break the circuit of the electromagnetic clutches F ing the power of the precession en e from being transmitted to the stabilizing gyroscopes while the ship is passing through the As soon,

oscillations. on oscillating back to- F even-keel position excess portions of its however, as the ship, ward its normal or arrives within a predetermined distance 0 this position, the roller X again makes contact with the plate. X and the circuit of the respective electromagnetic clutch is closed, with the result that the power of the precession motor is transmitted to the stabilizing gyroscopes and the latter therefore receive their precessional movements and exert their stabilizing effect upon the ship isgreats't';

a cause, .as hereinbefore explaine d, the plate is Moreover. it will be understood'-.that.the

greater the excessive roll of the ,ship and therefore the stabilization, t e shorter becomes the path between the roller X and the-plate -X", be

shifted beneath therollerito anextent proportional to thev amplitude of oscillatlon of v in consequence the 'noid U does not or G thereby pre'ventlcyreaction at periods when their:-

eater the need for eifectivethe ships The longitudinal adjustment of the plate X in proportion to the amplitude the period of activity of the I stant of maximum velocity of the ship, and

more intense is the stabilizing force exerted, which is the result desired.

- In some cases it may be advantageous to employ the brake mechanism as descrlbed with reference to Figs. 2 and 4: in addition to the arrangement first described with reference to Figs. 2, 5 and 6: In such cases the switch S is closed arid the switch S is opened, and an electromagnet W is provided for normally attracting a pivoted armature W against a stop W and thereby keeping -a short circuit closed around the roller X and plate X as shown clearly in Fig. 2. The winding of the electromagnet W is in shunt upon the contacts T T, and it will therefore be understood that when, owing toexcessive roll of the ship, the resistance R is gradually cut out of circuii the proportion of the current passing hrough the electromagnet winding gradually decreases, thereby decreasing its attractive power on the armatureW Hence so long as the strength of the current flowing to the soleexceed a predetermined value the armature W remains attracted and the roller X and plate X are kept out of effective action by being short circuited,

but at a predetermined increase of strength of the current flowing to the said solenoid U, the electro-magnetv W isso weakened that the armature."W' moves away from the contact W and the roller X and plate X are thereby thrown into action to limit the periods of activity of thegyroscopes as already described. f

precession engine or motor has usually been referred to as a gyroscope (K) it will be understood that the controlling device need not be gyroscopic initsgoperation provided the ship.

' 4 Although the device for controlling the It will also be aaaaaaaaaagh the gyroscopes exerting a stabilizing influence upon therolL,

ship should also ,be; noted. By'means of' this a para-tus, after-the ship is oneefistarted to rol -well, ,then lfollingmaybe maintained with little expenditure of energy as the PIG-' 'cession engine will be actu'ated at onlyv brief have been "referred to chiefly as 115 it is responsive to the rolling movements of v devices subject to similar oscillations com-.

intervals of time at the period of maximum rolling effect. The action of the apparatus would be comparable to a person ina swing Who is given a push each time he passes the vertical position. i

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have herein described the principle of operation of my invention, together with the apparatus which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof, but I desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is only lllllStIatiVG and that the invention can be carried out by other means. Also, while it is designed to use the various features and elements in the combination and relations described, some of these may be altered and others omitted without interfering with the more general results outlined, and the invention extends to such use.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is l. A stabilizing device for ships and other prising. a gyroscope, and means brought into action by precession of the gyroscope for exerting a stabilizing efiect upon the ship.

2. A stabilizing device for ships and other devices subject to similar oscillations comprising a gyroscope and means brought into action by the precession of the gyroscope caused by a tendency of the ship to roll for exerting a force on the ship opposed to said rolling tendency.

3. A rolling device for ships comprising a gyroscope mounted on the ship, and means responsive to relative movement between the ship and gyroscope for exerting a rocking or oscillating movement to the ship.

4. A rolling device for ships comprising a gyroscope mounted on the ship, and means responsive to relative movement between the ship and gyroscope for exerting a rocking or oscillating movement to the ship at intervals corresponding to the period of roll of the ship.

5. A rolling device for ships comprising a gyroscope mounted on the ship, and means responsive to precession of the gyroscope caused by a tendency of the ship to roll for exerting a rocking or oscillating movement in the direction of said rolling tendency.

6. In a gyroscopic apparatus for ships, a gyroscope mounted on the ship so that rolling of the ship will cause precession of the gyroscope, a second gyroscope mounted on the ship, and means responsive to the precession of said first gyroscope for controlling said second gyroscope.

7. The combination with a body subject to oscillations, of a gyroscope mounted thereon so that oscillation of said body causes precession of said gyroscope, yielding means for opposing said precession, a'

so that oscillation of said body causes pre-- cession of said gyroscope, yielding means for opposing said device, means responsive to said precession for bringing into action said device, and means whereby the relation between said gyroscope and said device may be reversed. I 9. The combination-with a body subject to oscillations, of a gyroscope mounted thereon so that oscillation of said body causes precession of said gyroscope, yielding means for opposing said precession, a torque'applying device, and means responsive to precession for accelerating the action of said torque applying device.

10. Thecombination with a body subject to oscillations, of a gyroscope mounted thereon so that oscillation of said body causes precession of said gyroscope, yielding means for opposing said precession, a torque applying device, means responsive to aninitial precession for accelerating the action, and to a further precession for retarding the action of said device.

11. The combination with a ship, of means for exerting periodic rolling torques thereon, and means responsive to the velocity of roll for governing the action of said other means.

12. The combination with a ship, of means for exerting periodic rolling torques thereon, and means responsive to the direction land velocity of roll for governing the action of said other'means.

precession, a torque applying 13. The combination with a ship, of a gyroscope mounted therein for exerting torques thereon, power means for applying periodic torques on said gyroscope and means responsive to the velocity of roll for controlling said power means.

1 1. In a gyroscopic apparatus for osclllatory bodies, a main gyroscope mounted for precessional movements power means for governing the precessional movements, an auxiliary gyroscope, and means responsive to precessional movements of said auxiliary gyroscope for controlling said power means.

15.- In a gyroscopic apparatus for oscillatory bodies, a main gyroscope mounted for precessional movements, power means for governing the precessional movements, an

auxiliary gyroscope, yielding centralizing means for said gyroscope, and means responsive to precessional movements of said auxiliary gyroscope for controlling said power means. r

16. In a gyroscopic stabilizing or rolling apparatus, a main gyroscope mounted for pi'ecesslonal movements, power means for apparatus, a mam gyroscope mounted accelerating and retarding said recessional movements comprlsing a worm w eel mounted about the precessional axis, a worm meshing with said worm wheel, a motor for driv-v ing said worm, and means for governing the direction of the torques applied through the worm.

17. In a gyroscopic stabilizing or rolling means responsive to the heeling of the ship for automatically cutting out the power means for gyroscope,

- means.

19. In a gyroscopic stabilizing or rolling apparatus, a main gyroscope mounted for precessional movements, power means for governing said precessional movements, means responsive to rolling of the ship, for controlling said power means, and additional means for automatically cutting out the power means and applying a brake about said precession axls.

20. The combination with an oscillatory mass, of a stabilizing or rolling gyroscope therefor, aprecession engine for controlling the precession of the gyroscope, an auxiliary gyroscope, means controlled by the initial precession of said auxiliary gyroscope for governing said recession engine, and brakin means'for t e stabilizing gyroscope controlled by a further precession of said auxiliary gyroscope.

mass, of a gyroscope therefor, a precession engine for governing the precession of the gyroscope, and means for controlling said engine, comprising a controller operated by the oscillating movement of the mass,

and means for confining the operation of said its normal position 1 22; The combination with an 'os cillatory mass,-of a gyroscope'therefor, a precession enginefor governing the precession of the and means for controlling said engine, comprising a controller oper'atedby the oscillating movement' of the mass, and confining the operation of said controller to the periods of maximum angu ,lar velocity of the mass.

2a. The combination with an oscillatory mass, of a gyroscope therefor, a precession engine forgoverningthe precession of the groscope, and means'for controlling said adapted to be actuated 21. The combination with an oscillatory p controller to the periods during which the engine, the oscillating movement of the mass, and means for confining the operation of said precession'engine to a predetermined period in each cycle of operation.

24. The combination with an oscillatory mass, of a gyroscope therefor, a precession engine for governing the precession of the gyroscope, and means for controlling said engine, comprising a controller operated by the oscillating movement of the mass, means for confining .the operation of said prec'es sion engine to a predetermined period in remaining period of each-cycle, precession ofthe rosco e is prevented.

26. T e com ination with an oscillatory body, of a gyroscope mo ted thereon :for precession relative gine for controlling said mally inoperative the gyroscopeabout automatic means PIGOGSS'IOD, a 1101'- its precesslon' axis, and for cutting out the action a predetermined event. 27. The combination with an oscillatory body, of a plurality of gyroscopes mounted thereon for precesslon relative thereto, an

comprising a controller operated by for wheel mounted about brake adapted .to brake 95. thereto, a precession enof said engine and applying said brake upon v thereon for precession relative thereto, a f

brake foropposing precession of and means responsive to the precesa Igyro:

sion of another of said gyroscopes for caus ing said brake to be applied.

29. The combination with an oscillatory I body, of a plurality, of gyroscopes mounted thereon for precession relative "thereto, a precession engine and a brake for governing the precession of a portion of the 'gyroscopes,

means responsive to the precession of an-.

other of the gyroscopes for operating said engine and means responsive to precession of a gyroscope for applying said brake.

30. The combinationwith an oscillatory body, of a plurality ofgyroscopes mounted thereon for precess'on relative thereto, a

precession engine. and

a brake for govern- Lemme ing the precession of a portion of the gyroname to this specification in the presence scopes, means responsive to the 1n1t1a1 preof two subscribing Witnesses, this 5th day of session of another of the gyroscopes for January, 1915.

operating said engine and means responsive ELMER A. SPERRY. to a further precession of said other gyro- Witnesses: sco es for applying said brake. HARRY L. TANNER,

n testimony whereof I have signed my OTTO MrETzELmLn. 

